June 1: Heartland Festival Orchestra presents “A Triple Shot of Tchaikovsky.” 7:30 p.m. Five Points Washington. 444-8222. June 1: Black Velvet. 9 p.m. MD’s Sports Bar & Grill. 691-2025. June 1: The Golden Fleece. 10 p.m. Kenny’s Westside Pub. 676-1693.…
Serendipity | Brinley Mae
Nearly seven years ago we excitedly welcomed our sixth grandchild, Brinley Mae, into our family. Just like the lyrics from the 1974 hit song, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” she “came to the world in the usual way.” That word “usual”…
Environmental News Briefs
Antibiotic use expands to citrus Antibiotic resistance in humans has been linked to overuse with livestock, but now the EPA is defying objections from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to allow…
Senator: Graduated, progressive tax is a fair tax
State Sen. Dave Koehler told an audience at East Bluff Community Center that legislation to change the state income tax from a flat rate of 4.95 percent to a graduated tax with higher rates on higher wage earners will mean,…
West Peoria plans for July Fourth
June means plans are in full swing for the 49th celebration of the West Peoria July Fourth parade and flag raising. The parade starts at 10 a.m. July Fourth and wends its way through West Peoria. This event is well…
Labor Roundup | June 2019
Four-fifths of voters want U.S.-made rebuilding of infrastructure, but not Donald Trump’s Mexican Wall, according to a poll from the Alliance for American Manufacturing. Only 34 percent of voters (7 percent of Democrats, 22 percent of independents and 69 percent…
No. 1 in nation for “Draconian,” mandatory drug sentencing
Banking on the arts
Most people didn’t hear about some big news this spring. It was good news but wasn’t a surprise, say local arts advocates. But the absence of reporting on it seems to some like the heavy-equipment industry making unexpected gains but…
When “the best of the best” is arrested
Views & Perspectives | We deserve better than “acting” secretaries
Seven of the sixteen Trump cabinet positions have “acting” secretaries. Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, Chief of Staff, Office of Management and Budget, Small Business Administration. On April 10, President Trump told Americans that he was running the Department of Homeland…
Bill Knight | Ugliness in April elections
Dirty politics, surly opposition and ugly social media all surfaced around April’s election. Some races had no challengers; some couldn’t fill vacancies; some unqualified candidates resorted to name-calling or paying others for negative appeals. Willingness to serve takes time, money…
Straight Talk | Bullies? Are you kidding?
The Bradley basketball season is over after a surprising finish by Coach Brian Wardle and his Braves. They won the Missouri Valley tournament and gave nationally ranked Michigan State a run for the money before losing in the NCAA tournament…
Editorial | Rabbi calls for justice for Palestine
Op-Ed | Right to harm plays well in Peoria
BY KAREN HUDSON Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water recently hosted the Midwest premiere of “Right to Harm” at the Peoria Riverfront Museum Giant Screen Theater. The film reveals the multiple externalities created by concentrated animal feeding operations or…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Guru
The Lion’s Den | 13th
This month we review the Oscar-nominated documentary 13th by filmmaker Ava DuVernay. This film takes an in-depth look at the industrial prison complex and the 13th Amendment which contributes to mass incarceration. The film highlights the role that politics and…
Serendipity | You CAN Go Home Again
Days after a wonderful visit with a good friend who lives in Maryland and was here seeing family, the quote about not being able to go home again popped into my mind. I googled it to see others’ thoughts, and…
Nature Rambles | Ubiquitous cottonwoods
Real Talk | Part 2: Grief hurts, but healing is complicated
Webster’s dictionary has the meaning of the word “loss” as the state of feeling grief when deprived of someone or something of value; and the word “healing” meaning to make sound or whole. Since the election of Donald Trump, there…
Art: What is it Good For? | How to Become an Arts Advocate
Arts Beat | May 2019
MUSIC May 1 and each Wednesday: John Miller. 6 p.m. Rhythm Kitchen. 676-9668. May 1-17: Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Peoria County Courthouse Plaza. 672-6906. May 1: Bradley String Chamber Music, 7:30 p.m.…